You could rarely catch Ron Ferro not talking about his daughter, Carly.

In between flipping omelets and buttering toast at his Over Easy's Restaurant in Cuttingsville on a busy morning, Ferro would gush to customers about how his daughter had shot another great 18 hole score at Rutland Country Club.

The 17-year-old Rutland High School senior was the apple of Ron's eye, evidenced by the picture of a smiling Carly posted at the entrance of his restaurant's kitchen and the many articles written about her posted on the walls.

One headline read, “Ferro not sorry for playing safe,” which Ron was quick to point out to newcomers.

For many who knew and loved her, remembering the wide smile and unforgettable giggle of the young high school student Thursday was their only solace.

A day earlier, Carly Ferro's promising life was cut short by an unimaginable tragedy.

Carly was walking to her father's car parked outside her workplace, the Discount Food & Liquidation Center on Cleveland Avenue, at about 6 p.m. Wednesday when a car driven by 23-year-old Alex Spanos of Rutland crashed into the driver's side of the car, struck Carly and pinned the car, and Ron, against the store's brick wall.

Ron was just trying to pick up his daughter from one of her two jobs.

Police found aerosol cans, which can be inhaled to get high, and alcohol at the scene. Officers said they believed these were factors in Spanos losing control of the car.

Carly lay on the concrete outside the store as paramedics tried to save her.

She later died in the hospital.

Her father remained in the hospital Thursday afternoon with a head injury.

Carly's mother, Ellen Ferro, was overcome with grief Thursday and cried as she described all the things she could remember that were special about her daughter.

“She didn't have a mean bone in her body. She was the kindest and sweetest and most caring young lady, and loved people for who they were no matter what,” Ellen said. “She was a hard worker with a good work ethic and she always tried her best at everything she did.”

Former RHS girls varsity basketball coach Tom Geisler said Carly was “one of the most positive, upbeat people I have ever known. Her smile would light up a room.”

“It is such a waste ... In her future, the sky was the limit,” Geisler said.

Carly was an avid golfer, basketball player, a member of the RHS Key Club and, for the last 10 years, a member of the district's orchestra.

Through the immediate shock and grief early Thursday, Carly's school stepped up its response to the trauma.

A counselor was put in every one of Carly's classrooms.

Students got together and decided to wear purple, Carly's favorite color, today.

Superintendent Mary Moran said there were “significant ramifications” in each of the district's schools, among students and former teachers.

Administrators met early, before school began, to get briefed on the sensitivity of the situation.

Sam Ferro, Carly's brother, is a graduate of Rutland High and now a junior in college.

Ellen said Carly loved her brother, the only sibling she left behind.

“No one loved her more than her family,” Ellen said through tears.

Ellen spoke with hesitation in her voice as if trying to reach her daughter again. She tried to say everything she could about her in a few short minutes.

“She always smiled and giggled,” Ellen said. “She was a giggler and loved by everybody. She was a fighter and she tried really hard. She loved Sam. She loved life. She would volunteer and played golf, and managed the basketball team when she was hurt, and she had some really good friends.

“She was honest and she never did anything bad, and was uncomfortable around people that would do bad things. She was just such a great kid,” her mom added.

“We lost a prize.”

Over Easy's was strangely quiet Thursday around lunchtime.

A note on the door alerted customers to the car accident in which “Ron's daughter didn't make it.”

It asked customers for their prayers.

Inside, Lori Turner, a waitress there for the last 18 years, was behind the line in the kitchen instead of Ron for the first time.

She made breakfast for the patrons, answered the constantly ringing phone and tried to stay composed as best as she could, although she was visibly shaken and with red eyes.

Lori hovered over the hot flattop, turned to the side and said, “Why would they take an innocent life?”

A celebration of Carly Ferro's life will take place Saturday at 11 a.m. at Rutland Country Club.